Maxwell: An unimaginably horrific experience

SULPHUR SPRINGS - Sulphur Springs city officials are trying to come to terms with the Wednesday death of an employee who became stuck in a manhole as it filled with water.

42-year-old Francisco Melendez is described as a well-liked and respected employee. He had worked for the city for 14 years, according to City Manager Marc Maxwell.

“For all of us this is just an unimaginably horrific experience. Frankie was close to all of us. He’s just that kind of a guy. Everybody liked him.”

Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Ronny Glossup says Melendez’s foot became hung on a pipe, preventing him from exiting as water quickly filled the manhole at Coleman Park. He had reportedly entered the hole to unplug a sewer line.

Maxwell says they’re still trying to sort out what happened and says it is too early to tell if something different could have been done to avoid the tragedy.